The Greatest Awe Dramatic Coastline Boasting Spectacular View

La Jolla California

With a dramatic coastline boasting spectacular views, it’s no surprise that La Jolla is one of the most popular beach destinations in California. From world-class shopping to one-of-a-kind dining, La Jolla is a bustling beachside city that always something going on. Surrounded on three sides by the sea and backed by the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla’s coastal profile and quaint village lifestyle evokes a Mediterranean feel.

It’s home to famous venues like the Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines State Reserve and Torrey Pine Golf Course, which is world famous for hosting the celebrity-filled Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament each year.

Shimmering ocean views to timeless landmarks. Beach culture to high culture. Each day, there’s a new experience waiting for you. The jewel of Southern California sparkles in vacation sunshine year-round. Visit first class sights and attractions throughout the village and around the cove. Stay in gorgeous houses and luxurious hotels. Indulge in all the beauty that’s here, only a few minutes from downtown San Diego.

With a unique microclimate combined with unmatched natural beauty, an upscale casual vibe and world-class attractions, La Jolla lives up to its nickname as “the jewel” of San Diego.

There’s a lot to see and do; we want to make sure you get the inside scoop on it all.

Top 10 Most Popular Attractions in La Jolla California

1. La Jolla California Beaches

The waves here are thought to be the most gentle in the county, making this an ideal place to paddle out in a kayak, learn to surf or scuba dive (plus, the underwater ecological park is nearby). The sunny beauty, gentle breezes and picture postcard views are a vacation haven for tourists and a water recreation highlight for local residents. La Jolla, pronounced “la hoya” means “the jewel” in Spanish and indeed, it is. Several unique beaches dot the seven miles of coastline against a backdrop of exclusive real estate, resorts, cliffs, tall palms and lush greenery.

There’s plenty of flat sand for families to sprawl out as well as lifeguards, showers and restrooms. It’s one of the most family-friendly beaches in San Diego, definitely.

2. La Jolla Open Aire Market

The La Jolla Open Aire Market was originally established to help La Jolla Elementary, a public school, fund a library and a librarian. Now, it helps fund important programs such as art, technology, a school nurse, school improvements and more. It’s a certified farmers market featuring 36 certified farms that participate each week.

Every Sunday, the upper playground at La Jolla Elementary is transformed into a colorful, friendly and wholesome Farmer’s Market. Come experience the community feel, live music, creative artisans, diverse food court, and local farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Consistently ranked as one of the largest and best farmers markets in San Diego, our Sunday Market in La Jolla has grown to become one of the premier weekly events for locals and tourists alike. Families and their kids can enjoy the live music, fresh air, playgrounds, and grass fields to run and play on.

3. La Jolla Cove and Caves

La Jolla Cove is San Diego’s most desirable spot for kayaking, snorkeling and diving. La Jolla is also home to seven sea cavesbetween La Jolla Shores. All but one (Sunny Jim Sea Cave) are only accessible by kayak though you can see Clam’s Cave from Goldfish Point on Coast Blvd. The caves are perched in 75 million year-old sea cliffs. As you might imagine, everything from immigrants to contraband whiskey have been smuggled into the area via the ocean and hidden inside the caves. Most kayakers enter the ocean at La Jolla Shores beach and paddle out toward the caves. If you don’t have a kayak, it’s easy to rent one or book a tour of the caves.

Visually, the cove is a breathtakingly gorgeous gem. Somewhat hidden with alluring curves and caves, it is often cited as the most photographed beach in San Diego. This ocean view’s striking beauty simply cannot be overstated.

4. Children Pool

La Jolla’s Children’s Pool was supposed to be a swimming area for kids, as the name implies. The sea wall was built in 1931 to protect the area from rough waters and a safe place for Children to swim and at some point harbor seals and sea lions began using the beach to rest, reproduce and molt (hauling out) . Though there is controversy regarding whether they should be permitted to stay, on any given day, locals and tourist can catch a glimpse of them sunbathing, swimming and nursing their pups. It’s pretty cute and kids love it.

Humans and seals coexisted there for awhile until it was determined the bacteria level wasn’t safe for humans and now the area exists as a natural spot for people to view harbor seals.

5. La Jolla Village

Across the street from the La Jolla’s Womans club is the La Jolla Recreation Center and a park. The park has some very lovely sculptures. One is this massive concrete bench and a sculpture by Mary Buckman dedicated to the memory of Ellen Browning Scripps, June 28, 1997. A beloved sculpture by James Tank Porter occupied this site from 1926 until its disappearance in 1996.

Businesses on Girard Ave between Torrey Pines Road and Kline Street will be open late and featuring their best of the best for visitors. Discover Something New, Plus Entertainment, Fun People, Free Parking…..

6. Kellogg Park

Tons of space to kids to run and play steps away from La Jolla Shores Beach. People picnic and even exercise on the huge grassy area. A nice playground (most appropriate for younger kids) is near the beach. This is perfect for the times that you want to go to the beach without the sand. It’s open from 4:00am – 10:00pm and there’s a sizable adjacent parking lot (though it can fill up quickly during the summer).

7. Ellen Browning Scripps Park

This park is just behind the La Jolla cove beach, many people was just lying there like if they were on the beach or playing.

AAA Magazine says that this is the most photographed spot in San Diego. It’s on a bluff above the beach with panoramic views and plenty of grassy area to spread out for a picnic or a game of catch. It’s near the Children’s Pool and Shell Beach and walking distance to plenty of places to eat up on Prospect Street. The only restrictions are that alcohol and glass containers aren’t allowed.

8. Birch Aquarium

This place is a smaller Sea World. It’s not as large as the Monterey Aquarium. But it’s definitely worth a visit. Kids love it here! They get to see a plethora of fishes. The kelp tank is huge! Sharks, eels, butterfly fishes are just some of the marine animals you encounter here. And who can forget the seadragons! Those creatures are beautiful! There’s also a nursery section of the aquarium. It’s neat to see how small these fishes are!

You can learn a thing or two about green house effects. And there are some pictures of glaciers around the world, before and after pictures. It’s amazing to see how much ice has been melting. And if you want to see how it feels to be on TV or as a news anchor person, there’s a section in the aquarium where you can read from a teleprompter and be on the news! You can watch yourself after you record on the little TV. Very cool!

9. Museum Of Contemporary Art

This is a 60,000 sq ft museum on a 3 acre site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was established in 1941, originally the home of celebrated philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, deisgned in 1916 by Irving Gill. Breathtaking coastal views in the heart of downtown. In 1996 there was a renovation and expansions which gives the museum a very contemporary appearance. It is a museum of contemporary art and the region’s most important forum for the exploration and presentation of the art of our time. Film, video, lectures, performances and educational programs are available for visitors of all ages.

10. Geisel Library in UCSD

Consider the idea of checking out the Universtiy of California at San Diego and Geisel Library!
This might seem like a strange, ‘Must See Activity,’ but one of the things many people like to do while traveling is to go where tourist usually don’t. Also they like to meet people in the community. This is a great place for both requirements.

The campus is open and there is an interesting area near the bookstore, where anyone can purchase books, the typical university accessories, sweats, shorts, T-shirts, pens, folders, and much more.